You don’t have to entertain your kids every single minute, of course. Kids need to know how to keep themselves busy, and if they use their imagination for exploring and for pretend play, that’s far better than TV and computer. But Winter Break is long, and if your kids are younger than 12, you’ll likely need to help them avoid boredom. Here are a few ideas:
1. Visit the local library at least twice a week. Many libraries have kids’ story times in the morning.
2. Let them splash in puddles or play in the snow, then go inside and drink hot cocoa.
3. Make a list of goals for the new year. If they’re old enough to write, they can prepare it by themselves. If they’re young, help them - the list can contain drawings instead of words.
4. Bake cookies together and decorate them.
5. Go to the movies.
6. Don’t forget that kids need to be active. Even while indoors, you can create opportunities for them to be active. For example, we have a set of jump ropes that we only used indoors.
7. If they’re old enough, take them to the museum. If you have a local kids’ museum that’s great, but a “real” museum is fine for generally well behaved kids over 5.
8. Play board games or card games together.
9. Make popcorn and watch a family movie together.
10. If you can handle the pressure, don’t let them open all their gifts on Christmas. Save a few presents to be opened - one each day - during the very last days of the break.
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UpToUs offers online groups for parents, where parents connect and organize their kids’ activities. Visit our website today to start a community for your classroom, sports team or any other trusted group.
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